Emergency oxygen device with improved activation lanyard arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to an emergency oxygen device for passenger of an aircraft, including a chemical oxygen generator including a chemical oxygen source and an activation unit for initiating a chemical reaction of the chemical oxygen source producing oxygen, at least two oxygen masks each connected with the chemical oxygen generator for receiving an oxygen fluid flow from the chemical oxygen generator after the activation unit has initiated the chemical reaction, and a mechanical activation assembly for activating the activation unit. The activation unit is activated by a mechanical force exerted onto an activation element of the activation unit and the mechanical activation assembly includes for each of the at least two oxygen masks a first mechanical connection from the activation element to a fixation element releasably mounted to the emergency oxygen device and a second mechanical connection from the fixation element to the oxygen mask.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An emergency oxygen device for a passenger of an aircraft, comprising:
 (a) an oxygen source; 
 (b) an activation unit (i) comprising (A) an activation element, (B) an activation pin configured to be pulled out of the activation element, and (C) an activation line configured to effect the pulling of the activation pin out of the activation element and (ii) configured to initiate oxygen flow from the oxygen source when the activation pin is pulled out of the activation element; 
 (c) an oxygen mask connected to the oxygen source and in fluid communication with the oxygen source at least when the activation pin is pulled out of the activation element; 
 (d) a first lanyard having a first end connected to the oxygen mask; 
 (e) a fixation plug (i) inserted into a wall of a casing of the emergency oxygen device (ii) connected to an opposing second end of the first lanyard, and (iii) movable out of the wall when a passenger first pulls on the oxygen mask or the first lanyard, wherein the activation line is not moved when the fixation plug is moved out of the wall; and 
 (f) a second lanyard connecting the fixation plug to the activation line; wherein the second lanyard has a first end attached to the fixation plug and a second end attached to the activation line; the second lanyard is configured to move the activation line when tensioned by the passenger during a second pull of the mask or the first lanyard so as to effect the pulling of the activation pin out of the activation element. 
 
     
     
       2. The emergency oxygen device of  claim 1  in which the oxygen source is a chemical oxygen generator having opposed first and second ends. 
     
     
       3. The emergency oxygen device of  claim 2  further comprising a guide element (i) positioned at the second end of the chemical oxygen generator and (ii) to which the activation line is connected. 
     
     
       4. The emergency oxygen device of  claim 3  further comprising a central oxygen tube connecting the oxygen mask to an oxygen exit opening at the first end of the chemical oxygen generator. 
     
     
       5. The emergency oxygen device of  claim 1  in which the fixation plug comprises:
 (a) a rounded end; and 
 (b) an elastomeric ring element. 
 
     
     
       6. The emergency oxygen device of  claim 5  in which the fixation plug is configured for insertion into, and removal from, a casing (i) in which the oxygen mask is stored prior to use and (ii) having a bore in the wall into which the fixation plug is inserted and from which the fixation plug is removed. 
     
     
       7. The emergency oxygen device of  claim 1  further comprising a ring element (i) coupling the second lanyard to the activation line and (ii) configured to slide along the activation line. 
     
     
       8. An emergency oxygen device for a passenger of an aircraft, comprising:
 (a) an oxygen source; 
 (b) an activation unit (i) comprising (A) a movable activation element configured to initiate oxygen flow from the oxygen source when moved; (B) an activation pin configured to be pulled out of the activation element, and (C) an activation line configured to effect the pulling of the activation pin out of the activation element and (ii) configured to initiate oxygen flow from the oxygen source when the activation pin is pulled out of the activation element; 
 (c) an oxygen mask connected to the oxygen source and in fluid communication with the oxygen source at least when the activation pin is pulled out of the activation element and oxygen is flowing from the oxygen source; 
 (d) a first connector comprising a first lanyard having a first end mechanically connected to the oxygen mask; 
 (e) a fixation element comprising a fixation plug (i) inserted into a wall of a casing of the emergency oxygen device (ii) connected to an opposing second end of the first connector, and (iii) movable out of the wall when a passenger first pulls on the oxygen mask or the first connector, wherein the activation line is not moved when the fixation plug is moved out of the wall; and 
 (f) a second connector comprising a second lanyard mechanically connecting the fixation element to the activation element; wherein the second lanyard has a first end attached to the fixation plug and a second end attached to the activation line; the second lanyard is configured to move the activation element when tensioned by the passenger during a second pull of the mask or the first lanyard so as to effect initiation of oxygen flow from the oxygen source.